Court Stops NUPENG From Strike Against Dangote Refinery

The National Industrial Court has issued an interim order restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) from embarking on strike action or disrupting operations at Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Limited, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim delivered the ruling on Wednesday after hearing an ex parte motion filed by George Ibrahim, counsel to Dangote Refinery. The court held that blocking petroleum supply routes or halting refinery operations could cause irreparable damage, making immediate intervention necessary.

The injunction also prevents NUPENG and allied drivers’ associations from forcing other tanker drivers to join their planned industrial action. The restraining order will remain in effect for seven days pending further hearing.

The refinery, through an affidavit deposed by its general manager for government and strategic relations, Ahmed Hashem, pledged to compensate the union for damages if the final decision of the court does not favour the company.

Justice Subilim further directed the refinery to serve NUPENG with all case documents within seven days. He noted that since the court’s vacation ends on September 23, the matter would be reassigned by the court’s president to another judge for full hearing of the motion and substantive case.

The ruling comes after NUPENG, on September 11, placed its members on red alert for a nationwide strike. The union accused Dangote Refinery of anti-union practices and alleged that Sayyu Dantata, owner of MRS Oil, ordered drivers to strip NUPENG stickers from their trucks, sparking clashes with union officials.

With the restraining order now in place, petroleum trucking services to the refinery and the public are expected to continue without disruption until the court reconvenes.